Windows "Longhorn" features present in Windows Vista

[Maza]

I am currently in the process of creating a list of Windows "Longhorn" (pre-reset) components / features (as conceived during 2003-2004) that are present in the RTM version of Windows Vista. The features listed need not have been in "Longhorn" (conceptual features are welcome).

My goal is to change some of the negative perception about the Windows Vista operating system among enthusiasts by increasing awareness of these features. Much of the derision Windows Vista received stemmed from the fact that it did not include some of the more defining Windows "Longhorn" features, such as "WinFS".

If you decide to contribute, your username will be credited here and at my blog.

This list is not exhaustive. Certain aspects of pre-reset features may not be in the final product; if this is known to be the case, it will be noted. Asterisks within a feature name indicate a change from the initial plans for the operating system.

My current list contains:

Shell features/improvements:
- AERO Wizards (Slightly different appearance in Windows Vista)
- Breadcrumbs in the address bar of Windows Explorer
- Checkboxes in Windows Explorer
- Column Headers in all icon modes of Windows Explorer
- Details Pane in Windows Explorer (absent from Windows Vista are the following: "Avalon" aurora animation, Details Pane APIs) (Command links were moved to the Command Bar)
- Free space indicators for drives in the Computer folder
- Games Explorer* (Automatic game updates not included in Vista) (thanks to Hounsell for posting)
- Instant Search
- Natural Language Search* (As WinFS was scrapped, search queries are not as powerful)
- Options in CTRL-ALT-DEL prompt (Lock this computer, Switch user, Log off, Change a password, Start Task Manager)
- Parental Controls
- Scalable Live Icons in Windows Explorer (thanks to Venetik for posting)
- Segoe UI font
- Shutdown context menu on Start menu (perhaps most notable in Build 4093)
- Snipping Tool (?)
- Speech recognition (preliminary 2003 SDK states that "the common speech scenarios, like speech-enabling menus and buttons, will be enabled system-wide" in "Longhorn.")
- Stylus "flick" feature
- Sync Center
- Taskbar thumbnails (included in at least one "Longhorn" conceptual image)
- Thumbnails in Alt+Tab (Windows Flip)
- Virtual Folders
- Windows DVD Maker (http://windowsitpro.com/systems-managem ... future-pcs)
- Windows Flip (Alt+Tab thumbnail previews)
- Windows Flip 3D
- Windows Mobility Center
- Windows Sideshow (Auxiliary display feature)

System improvements:
- Data Execution Prevention (recall that this was a "Longhorn" feature that was first backported to Windows XP SP2)
- DirectX9 Ex (previously referred to as DirectX9.L)
- DirectX 10 (http://winsupersite.com/article/product ... art-3-2004)
- Distributed Transaction Coordinator
- Desktop Window Manager (previously referred to as the Desktop Composition Engine)
- Diskpart enhancements, including the ability to shrink partitions on-the-fly
- Function Discovery (formerly Device Discovery)
- Internet Information Services 7.0 (IIS 7)
- Kernel Transaction Manager
- Network Access Protection
- Next-Generation TCP/IP stack; full support for IPv6; native Wi-Fi
- Network Access Protection
- New boot architecture to replace NTLDR (https://web.archive.org/web/20040609090 ... EC2004.ppt)
- NGSCB "Cornerstone" and Code Integrity Rooting features (i.e., BitLocker Drive Encryption)
- People Near Me
- Per-application volume control
- Prioritized I/O
- Quality Windows Audio Video Experience (qWave) QoS API (http://www.mce-community.de/forum/index ... xperience/); (http://web.archive.org/web/200707130032 ... /qWave.doc)
- Self-Healing NTFS
- Shadow Copy (Previous Versions) (PDC 2003)
- SuperFetch
- Topology and Discovery
- Transactional NTFS
- User Account Control* (Conceptually similar to the "Longhorn" Trust Manager though different in some respects. Also fulfills the "Longhorn" goal of focusing on least privilege); Application Impact Management; Protected Administrator; Virtual Registry
- Web Services for Devices support (https://web.archive.org/web/20060509115 ... EC2004.ppt)
- Winlogon (rewritten)
- Windows CardSpace
- Windows Color System
- Windows Communication Foundation* (Previously referred to as Indigo. Included in Windows Vista, not used by native applications or the operating system itself)
- Windows Diagnostics Infrastructure
- Windows Experience Index
- Windows Firewall built on Windows Filtering Platform (http://web.archive.org/web/200408131142 ... k/WFP.mspx) (https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/mag ... ewall.aspx)
- Windows Filtering Platform (http://web.archive.org/web/200408131142 ... k/WFP.mspx)
- Windows HotStart (at WinHEC 2004, Microsoft stated that the "LH Mobile PC" would include "direct (appliance-like) access to multimedia" (e.g., music, pictures, etc) HotStart provides this functionality - HotStart was previously codenamed "Windows Direct" (https://web.archive.org/web/20040609090 ... EC2004.ppt)
- Windows Imaging Format (WIM) setup routine
- Windows Installer 4.0
- Windows Memory Diagnostics (PDC 2003)
- Windows Mobility Center
- Windows Presentation Foundation* (previously referred to as Avalon. Included in Windows Vista, not used by native applications or the operating system itself) (Thanks to Hounsell for confirming)
- Windows ReadyBoost (?) (patent filed on October 21, 2004 after "development reset" - https://www.google.com/patents/US20060090031 - but feature may have been conceived of before that event)
- Windows ReadyBoot (http://windowsitpro.com/windows-client/peek-longhorn)
- Windows ReadyDrive (first discussedat WinHEC 2004: http://windowsitpro.com/hardware/winhec ... ard-drives ReadyDrive was codenamed Piton; http://blogs.msdn.com/b/ianm/archive/20 ... 69715.aspx - note carefully slide 14 from this set of slides distributed at WinHEC 2004: https://web.archive.org/web/20040609090 ... EC2004.ppt they mention Piton within an e-mail address, proving that this effort was ReadyDrive)
- Windows Service Hardening
- Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WDDM) (previously referred to as "Longhorn" Display Driver Model, or LDDM)
- Wireless Smart Network Key improvements, including integration with Network Setup Wizard (https://web.archive.org/web/20051203085 ... EC2004.ppt)

Misc:
- Away Mode (previously referred to "Media Power-Saving Mode" in https://web.archive.org/web/20051214170 ... EC2004.ppt)
- IMAPI 2.0 (http://web.archive.org/web/200308082114 ... _TPA07.exe); (https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/librar ... 85%29.aspx)
- Native HD DVD support (originally confirmed by Microsoft Japanese unit: http://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-sa ... compatible); (http://download.microsoft.com/download/ ... 7_wh06.ppt)
- New Zoom feature in Microsoft Paint (http://winsupersite.com/product-review/ ... -gallery-3); (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... aint-tools)
- Live File System; UDF support (http://web.archive.org/web/200308082114 ... _TPA68.exe and http://windowsitpro.com/windows-server/ ... al-edition); (https://www.safaribooksonline.com/libra ... 04s10.html)
- Microsoft Anna
- Windows Anytime Upgrade (Thanks to Hounsell for confirming)
- Windows Easy Transfer

[NHL fan]

The sidebar is included in the RTM

[Maza]

The sidebar is included in the RTM

Thank you for replying, NHL fan.

Unfortunately, the Sidebar as originally conceived did not survive the development reset.

Edit: I've found a screenshot from Longhorn which shows a similar file stacking feature present in Vista.

[xZEROx]

avalon made it to vista, as windows presentation foundation

[rafaelgs]

Windows Aero (DWM/DCE) and WIM Image setup routine.

[Maza]

avalon made it to vista, as windows presentation foundation

I would have added that to the list, but I'm not sure if any Avalon features were lost after the development reset. From what I've read, only certain parts of the shell stopped using Avalon after that, etc.

Windows Aero (DWM/DCE) and WIM Image setup routine.

I completely forgot about the WIM Image setup routine.

Thanks to all of you for your time.

[NHL fan]

I don't know if this counts, but some of the icons in build 4074 made it to the RTM.

[Venetik]

The sidebar is included in the RTM

But no integrated in explorer shell. So I doubt that it counts to topic. The 'RTM' sidebar is standalone app.

Thumbnails are visible, also - CTRL + Scroll changes the icon size. Also, the adress bar (breadcrumb bar) is still in Vista RTM.

[hounsell]

avalon made it to vista, as windows presentation foundation

I would have added that to the list, but I'm not sure if any Avalon features were lost after the development reset. From what I've read, only certain parts of the shell stopped using Avalon after that, etc.

Avalon, like the WIM system, wasn't actually even reset, so no features were lost besides those that were being cut anyway (Microsoft experimented quite a bit with Avalon through Longhorn before settling on the final spec). Your argument for not including it would be that Avalon was more an independent project, being part of the .NET team.

[rafaelgs]

Also, Windows Flip 3D (build 4074)



But I don't have sure if this counts as a feature;

[Maza]

Well, this is sad. I thought there were many more included with RTM.

Thumbnails are visible, also - CTRL + Scroll changes the icon size. Also, the adress bar (breadcrumb bar) is still in Vista RTM.

Oh that's right.
Longhorn Live Icons:
http://www.betaarchive.com/imageupload/ ... .35480.jpg

Vista Live Icons:
http://www.betaarchive.com/imageupload/ ... r.5860.jpg

Thank you, Venetik.

Avalon, like the WIM system, wasn't actually even reset, so no features were lost besides those that were being cut anyway (Microsoft experimented quite a bit with Avalon through Longhorn before settling on the final spec). Your argument for not including it would be that Avalon was more an independent project, being part of the .NET team.

So it would be safe to say that the full feature made it into the final product?

[jimmsta]

Virtual Folders made it into 7 as Libraries - not sure if this fits in, since it wasn't in Vista RTM.

[Maza]

Virtual Folders made it into 7 as Libraries - not sure if this fits in, since it wasn't in Vista RTM.

Were the Virtual Folders in Build 4015 of Longhorn like the Saved Searches included with Windows Vista? I wish I could check for myself, but I'm not using my home computer.

Also, does anyone know if the Parental Controls in build 4015 were going to be better than what was offered in Windows Vista RTM?

[rafaelgs]

Game Explorer

Longhorn







Windows Vista

[Maza]

Game Explorer

Do you know if anything else was planned for the final feature, other than what was included in Vista?

[xZEROx]

Game Explorer

Do you know if anything else was planned for the final feature, other than what was included in Vista?

Its a games explorer, how many features could microshaft stuff in there?

[Maza]

Its a games explorer, how many features could microshaft stuff in there?

Microshaft?

I don't know, to be honest, which is why I asked. I want to be as factually accurate as possible when it came to feature descriptions.

[hounsell]

There were a few features ultimately planned for Game Explorer that never got implemented, either in Longhorn or Vista - such as automatic updating of Games. This was probably more down to lack of third-party interest than anything MS decided though.

Virtual Folders is the same as Search Folders in Vista, give or take. They both use the Indexer to pull files from multiple locations into one "view". The focus shifted, but the functionality is broadly the same. In Longhorn, they were WinFS-powered, and therefore would have been far more powerful had things ever been properly implemented.

Avalon definitely made it unscathed. You could argue some features were removed, but they were all features that would have been removed without the reset - for example, CAML was killed off because they replaced it with BAML, but that's because they were essentially duplicate features and BAML was deemed to be the superior version.

[xZEROx]

Its a games explorer, how many features could microshaft stuff in there?

Microshaft?

----.

Its a joke, it refers to the parody game "Microshaft Winblows 98" an apt description of windows if there ever was one.

[Maza]

Its a joke, it refers to the parody game "Microshaft Winblows 98" an apt description of windows if there ever was one.

Personally, I love Microsoft Windows, so I don't think the joke is funny.

There were a few features ultimately planned for Game Explorer that never got implemented, either in Longhorn or Vista - such as automatic updating of Games. This was probably more down to lack of third-party interest than anything MS decided though.

Virtual Folders is the same as Search Folders in Vista, give or take. They both use the Indexer to pull files from multiple locations into one "view". The focus shifted, but the functionality is broadly the same. In Longhorn, they were WinFS-powered, and therefore would have been far more powerful had things ever been properly implemented.

Avalon definitely made it unscathed. You could argue some features were removed, but they were all features that would have been removed without the reset - for example, CAML was killed off because they replaced it with BAML, but that's because they were essentially duplicate features and BAML was deemed to be the superior version.

Hounsell,

You were just the person that I was looking for a response from.

If you don't mind me asking, where did you get your information? In a book? I had not even heard of CAML before.

[hounsell]

Hours upon hours of original research, I'm afraid.

A lot of my Longhorn knowledge comes from when I was on the Longhorn 08 project - I was the person responsible for "Research and Development" within the team. It was essentially my job to find out what was possible and what wasn't in Longhorn, and to research possible new fixes and such. As such, a lot of time went into trawling through vague 2003-era MS documentation and articles, and reverse engineering the builds themselves.

Sadly, most of my work never saw the light of day, with Longhorn being the complex mess that it is, but it did give me a lot of insight into the OS.

CAML is something used pervasively within Longhorn from early 40xx builds up to shortly after the 405x builds. It was essentially an attempt to make highly performant Avalon applications - loading raw XAML had a significant performance penalty attached to it (and still does to an extent, but not enough for them to care for WinRT/WP apps). They had three options Avalon apps could use - raw XAML, CAML, and BAML.

CAML was the earlier solution. It offered the best performance possible by compiling the XAML files to IL bytecode, not unlike how Windows Forms works where it changes made in the designer are actually declared in a machine-generated codebehind before being compiled like any other piece of code. BAML was a binary serialization of XAML. This had some loading penalty over CAML, but had other advantages, like being more easily localisable and streamable - CAML would have to wait for the complete assembly and any dependencies to download before rendering, BAML could load parts as needed, important for their then-secret Silverlight project.

Ultimately, they got the load penalty for BAML down low enough for CAML to no longer offer a significant advantage, so they deprecated it shortly after PDC03 and removed it. By 4074, there's very little, if any, CAML left.

There's also very little documentation - while it still existed at PDC03 and was still being used internally, it was already on the back foot at this stage and MS were encouraging developers to prefer BAML.

[Maza]

Hours upon hours of original research, I'm afraid.

A lot of my Longhorn knowledge comes from when I was on the Longhorn 08 project - I was the person responsible for "Research and Development" within the team. It was essentially my job to find out what was possible and what wasn't in Longhorn, and to research possible new fixes and such. As such, a lot of time went into trawling through vague 2003-era MS documentation and articles, and reverse engineering the builds themselves.

Sadly, most of my work never saw the light of day, with Longhorn being the complex mess that it is, but it did give me a lot of insight into the OS.

CAML is something used pervasively within Longhorn from early 40xx builds up to shortly after the 405x builds. It was essentially an attempt to make highly performant Avalon applications - loading raw XAML had a significant performance penalty attached to it (and still does to an extent, but not enough for them to care for WinRT/WP apps). They had three options Avalon apps could use - raw XAML, CAML, and BAML.

CAML was the earlier solution. It offered the best performance possible by compiling the XAML files to IL bytecode, not unlike how Windows Forms works where it changes made in the designer are actually declared in a machine-generated codebehind before being compiled like any other piece of code. BAML was a binary serialization of XAML. This had some loading penalty over CAML, but had other advantages, like being more easily localisable and streamable - CAML would have to wait for the complete assembly and any dependencies to download before rendering, BAML could load parts as needed, important for their then-secret Silverlight project.

Ultimately, they got the load penalty for BAML down low enough for CAML to no longer offer a significant advantage, so they deprecated it shortly after PDC03 and removed it. By 4074, there's very little, if any, CAML left.

There's also very little documentation - while it still existed at PDC03 and was still being used internally, it was already on the back foot at this stage and MS were encouraging developers to prefer BAML.

Well BetaArchive is certainly very lucky to have you then.

For now, one more question to you? I'm aware that the Windows Communication Foundation is in Windows Vista. However, I am wondering if any of its features were cut during the development reset?

Apologies for asking so many questions. It is a difficult trying to find documentation from 2003; and then comparing it to more-current information.

[Maza]

Oh, please don't let this topic die. I feel that BetaArchive is the only site capable of comparing the features.

[Darkknight1025]

now the question is what is known about the unleaked longhorn builds,their features functions discriptions and their like if they were present in vista making the final cut

[Maza]

Updated to include:

• Data Execution Prevention (recall that this was a "Longhorn" technology prior to Windows XP SP2)
  Diskpart enhancements
  NGSCB "Cornerstone" and Code Integrity Rooting features
  I/O Prioritization
  Self-Healing NTFS
  Shadow Copy
  Windows Diagnostics Infrastructure
  Windows Firewall based on Windows Filtering Platform
  Windows Filtering Platform
  Windows HotStart
  Windows Memory Diagnostics
  Windows ReadyBoot
  Windows ReadyDrive

Who else finds it fascinating that even ReadyDrive (a.k.a. Piton) is a "Longhorn" feature?